Cutting Glass For Custom Kitchen Cabinets

Learn to cut glass to create custom kitchen cabinets that will look more expensive and provide a decorative element to your kitchen.

Cutting glass requires some skill and attention to detail, as well as patience in order to make the cuts precise and accurate. These steps will help you create a custom design for your kitchen cabinets.

Step 1 - Remove Cabinet Doors

Remove the cabinet doors using a screwdriver. Place the cabinet door frames in the work area you are going to place glass inserts and prepare the custom cabinet doors.

Step 2 - Measure the Area Where Glass Will Be Placed

Take measurements of the area where the glass will be placed. You will need to allow for a little overhang inside the doors of about ¼ to ½-inch. Create a hole in the door large enough to use a jigsaw to cut out the area where the glass will be seen. Do this for each of the kitchen cabinet doors.

Take a piece of sandpaper and smooth out the edges of the cut out area. This will make the doors appear smooth and look better when inserting the glass. If necessary, paint or stain the doors to improve their look and appearance. Use a shop vacuum to clean up any debris prior to staining or painting.

Step 3 - Prepare the Glass for Cutting

Wash the piece of glass and dry it completely. Use a grease pencil to draw an outline of the pattern that will be placed in the cutouts. Repeat this process for each of the glass pieces that you will be cutting and placing into the cabinet doors.

Step 4 - Cut the Glass

Take the glass cutter and hold it firmly against the grease pencil line. Using a straightedge, make a series of light scores by moving the cutter wheel straight down the edge from the beginning to the end of the line.

Use a pencil to apply pressure against the scored line, snapping the glass edge away. Do this firmly but gently so that you don't inadvertently break or crack the glass.

Perform this process for each of the lines. Work methodically until you have obtained a perfect square.

Step 5 - Place Glass into Cabinet Doors

Place the cut glass into the inside part of the cabinet door frame. Use pins to hold the glass in place, spacing them evenly around the glass until it is secure. Do this process for each of the cabinet doors.

Once the glass has been set into the kitchen cabinet doors, reattach them to the cabinet frames. Wipe the doors down with a rag to remove any dust and your new kitchen cabinets are ready for use.